LONG-AWAITED repair works have started at a Ballybofey housing estate plagued by pothole problems in recent years.
Residents of The Beeches have welcomed the commencement of works this week.
Picture: Residents from The Beeches pictured last week. Picture by Joe Boland, North West Newspix
Homeowners in the estate have been campaigning for emergency repairs to be carried out on the roads in the estate.
Just last week, residents described the scene as being ;like a series of craters’.
Residents have a long list of tyres, alloys and near misses in a busy estate with over 170 houses while last week children were able to splash about in the potholes.
However, Churchill Quarries have moved in to start works this week.
Local Donegal County Councillor Patrick McGowan said: “It is great to see Churchill Quarries getting on with emergency repairs in the Beeches Ballybofey.
“Paddy Mullin, the engineer over the Council’s ‘taking in charge’ section reached agreement over a month ago to carry out emergency works to the main entrance road into the Neeches including some smaller repairs further up the estate .
“The main taking in charge process is still ongoing with negotiations between Irish Water and the new developer who proposed finishing off the unfinished houses at the top of the estate.
“An overall resolution is being negotiated with all parties by Paddy Mullin with issues such bonds, new development charges and any other funding that the Council can drawdown.
“It is hoped that agreement can be reached, but first all parties are waiting on a response from Irish Water to see what their requirements will be.
“I know all residents and other user will be delight to see these initial works have started after many years.”
The problem was been exacerbated by the fact that the original developer of the estate is no longer in business.
In 2019, An Bord Pleanála granted permission, with revised conditions, to a company, Longmarsh Developments Ltd, to complete seven partially constructed houses at the estate.
Among the conditions laid down by the planning authority included: ‘the entire estate service road shall be completed with a final wearing course to a finished standard’.
